A PRESCRIPTION FOR THE SOUL

Ranjah’s brand new banger Nakhre brings together his own special blend of urban vibes with a good old helping of Punjabi flavours with the addition of the inimitable flow of the UK’s Raxstar.

Born in Punjab and surrounded by music since childhood, Ranjah, born Mudit Arora, grew up with a love for rhythm and melody. His parents, both doctors and also singers, undoubtedly bolstered this fondness while he was growing up. After moving to the US at a young age, his influences expanded from classical Punjabi folk and Hindi music to encompass the sounds of garage, hip-hop and R&B.

As is true with many immigrant stories, Ranjah struggled to find clarity in his identity during his early years. It was travelling back to Punjab often, and connecting through music with the local Indian community that helped reinforce his cultural roots. He started writing lyrics in the form of raps and verses in the margins of his notebooks. Longing for a musical outlet, he performed at community events, birthday parties, and friends’ weddings.

This habit continued as he navigated a successful academic career from college to medical school, eventually becoming the youngest doctor in his residency program. His passion for medicine earned him accolades and led him to work in hospitals across the country, ultimately driving him to help establish his family’s innovative medical practice in New Jersey.

“With a renewed passion in 2019, I began writing lyrics and making melodies with a purpose,” he says. “I wanted to create a unique and enjoyable sound that represented the evolution of the Indian diaspora. To represent the blend of cultures and thought processes, which children of immigrants like myself, could identify with.”

With multiple projects completed and more on the way, Ranjah is excited about the future...but always focused on today! 

Nakhre is available on all digital stores and streaming platforms.

Name: Mudit Arora. My first name means joy and my last name is a palindrome.

Currently: I am an up-and-coming Punjabi music artiste, and also a doctor. I am the medical director of an anti-ageing clinic in New Jersey which I run with my wonderful family. We focus on aesthetic treatments as well as hormone balancing and addressing root causes of disease through a personalized approach. We love educating and healing our patients, many of whom are of South Asian origin. When I’m not in the clinic, I’m usually penning lyrics with lofi music playing in the background.

Favourite colour: Purple, because it’s the colour of royalty.

Favourite outfit: I’d have to say the custom Ranjah jacket that my brother-in-law made for me along with distressed black jeans and a clean pair of Yeezys. A close second are my comfy blue scrubs!

Favourite singers: I grew up surrounded by music. After my parents, who are my consistent favourites, would be Gurdas Maan, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Jazzy B, Drake, Jay Sean, The Weeknd, Malkit Singh, Apache Indian and Lehmber Hussainpuri. I can spend all day on this list!

Favourite song: Never gonna give you up by Rick Astley. Just kidding, although that is a great song. Probably Jind mahi by Malkit Singh. This song always hits me directly in the feels because it reminds me of Punjab and the connection to my culture.

Favourite TV shows:  Stranger Things, Vikings, and anything involving sci-fi/action, which is my favourite genre.

Favourite ice cream flavour: Butterscotch, but only the desi kind that comes in a full brick with toffee pieces in it. I surely can’t be the only one.

Favourite food: Just give me unlimited garlic naan and butter chicken and I’m good to go.

Favourite restaurant: Meri Mummy da Kitchen, followed by Chipotle.

Favourite sports: Basketball, cricket and surfing.

Favourite books: Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now because I am a spiritual person and this is beautifully written. Also Harry Potter, and the Red Rising Series which both have an underdog protagonist fighting to overcome the odds stacked against them. I identify with some of those characters.

Favourite activity: Well, if no one guessed, singing! I can listen to music all day, and I am constantly crafting melodies and lyrics in my head while drumming out beats on any available surface. Much to the dismay of my teachers growing up. Other than that, I enjoy kicking back and being fully immersed in a movie.

I hang out: With my friends and family. I am blessed to have great people around me.

I want to be: The best version of myself in both my passions – medicine and music –  healing others through both as well. I want to introduce positivity through my music while taking people to a fun and light-hearted place. The world can sometimes seem too serious. With all the news we are surrounded with and the psyche over the last few years during the pandemic it can often feel like a weight bearing down on one’s shoulders. I know that’s how it seemed for me, and I know that creating music makes me feel better. Those are the vibes I want to spread to others as well and put people in a good mood. I want people to bump my songs loud in their car and dance around in their seat like they’re leaving the parking lot at the end of the school day.

Tips to save the planet: Elect leaders who care about the climate. Look at their platform. See if they have done anything in their political history to support the health of the earth and fight against climate change. Spread education and awareness to others through social media and conversation, no matter how annoying it may be. Use reusable glass or aluminum bottles instead of plastic. As a consumer, support companies and organizations that align themselves with the vision of a healthier planet. Switch to electric cars. Stop supporting the specific cryptocurrencies that are burning through fossil fuels. Lead by example. I’m very passionate about climate change and can talk about this all day. We have one earth and we should all be rushing to save it. I have faith, we can do this.

Be a Desi Star! If you’d like Desi News readers to ‘meet’ you, call 416-695-4357 to arrange a photo session! It’s fun and it’s free!